The Committee for Shivyon B'Netel today decided to approve the suggestion that Chabadniks who serve around the world as shlichim will be considered as if they are doing civil service.
There is already a format by which Israelis performing service around the world on behalf of the State of Israel are considered as if they are doing civil service, and now Chabad is being added to the list as an approved form of service. The criteria for this will be determined by the committee, and any yeshiva student meeting that criteria in his shlichus will receive the new status.
MK Elazar Stern said that the Chabad shlichim do a very important job around the world, voluntarily, and until now have not received recognition from the State of Israel for those efforts. The shliach out there doing his work should know that he is now a representative of the State of Israel. Stern also said that another achievement of this is that they will now have forged a connection between Chabad and the State of Israel, and the shlichus of the Rebbe will also now be seen by them as shlichus for Israel.
Stern had reservations because, even though Chabad has a large and strong presence in Israel and is very connected to Israel, the Rebbe sent boys out on shlichus around the world, but did not encourage going to Israel. Stern sees this as a way of strengthening that aspect of the connection between Chabad and Israel.
We all know the stories of how the Chabad shliach, doing great work in far-flung places around the world, is very often the actual representative of Israel, acting as a de facto embassy, helping people in trouble, and taking care of people in need. This solidifies that representation.
Will all the yeshiva bochurim suddenly run to become Chabadniks? not likely. You dont qualify as a civil servant just by being Chabad, but by being a Chabad shliach meeting set criteria... not everyone wants to live in far-away countries or cities, often with very few Jews, let alone other religious Jews... and the work itself is not easy either. These boys do phenomenal work around the world, and they deserve this new status.
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